Targeted near-IR QDs-loaded micelles for cancer therapy and imaging

The use of water-soluble, functionalized quantum dots (QDs) that are highly stable against oxidation for biological and biomedical applications is currently one of the fastest growing fields of nanotechnology. Polymer-based nanoparticles are now widely used for drug delivery and targeted therapy. We modified the surface of near Infrared QDs by the solid dispersion method using PEG-PCDA and PCDA-Herceptin conjugates to demonstrate water-solubility and target-specific properties. Upon UV irradiation, QD cores located within nanoprobes were further stabilized by intramicellar cross-linking between neighboring PCDA-Herceptin moieties. These cross-linked nanoprobes showed higher stability and less toxicity. Near-IR QDs-loaded micelles were spherical with diameters of around 130-150 nm. The anti-tumor effect of near-IR QDs-loaded micelles against MDA-MB-231 tumors was remarkably better than that of control. Mice treated with the near-IR QDs-loaded micelles had a tumor volume of about 285 mm(3), indicating shrinkage in initial tumor volume and inhibition of tumor growth by 77.3% compared to that of control group (saline injection). In addition, near-IR QDs-loaded micelles were injected intravenously into tumor-bearing nude mice for simultaneous tumor therapy and imaging. We observed that the targeted near-IR QDs-loaded micelles distributed rapidly throughout the animal body including the tumor in real time. These multi-functional nanoprobes could therefore be used for both active and passive targeting, imaging and treatment of cancers in the early stage.